By Mark Lenu
Following the recent lawfare threat by a senator representing Cross River State, Asuquo Ekpenyong to drag the Niger Delta Activists Forum to court on the grounds of Defamation, the activists’ group has described the threat as baseless.
At a press conference organized by the NDAF the National President, Comrade Success Jack insisted that NDAF did nothing wrong in demanding accountability, insisting that senator Ekpenyong should be the one to apologize to the group.
The group said: “It is no longer news that the Niger Delta Activists Forum (NDAF) has, over the past few weeks, been agitating for probity, transparency, and accountability from all parties involved in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) concerning the palliatives meant for Cross River State.
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“On Friday, February 14, the NDAF convened to review its activities thus far and deliberated on intelligence received from security agencies in the state regarding the ultimatum for our planned protest, which expired on the same day. The intervention/intelligence suggested that we discontinue the protest, as certain individuals had mobilized hoodlums to hijack it and cause mayhem.
“While deliberations were ongoing, NDAF was inundated with notifications of intended litigation from Mr. Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, SAN, and other counsels representing Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr. They informed us that their client had instructed them to institute legal proceedings against NDAF for alleged defamatory publications.
“The senator is demanding that NDAF pays him two billion naira (₦2,000,000,000) in damages. NDAF should desist from making further publications against him, publishing an apology letter in two national dailies, and covering the costs of the lawsuit, including solicitors’ fees, as conditions for settlement within seven days.
“In light of the above, we categorically state that we are neither intimidated nor frightened by this legal threat. We will not apologize for demanding accountability from a man who has chosen to use the instrumentality of his exalted office to silence voices calling for probity. Rather, he should apologize to NDAF and the general public.”
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